The notion of methodical comes from the late Latin methodĭcus , in turn derived from the Greek methodikós . The term is used to describe what is done with a method and who usually appeals to a method.
To understand the concept of methodical, therefore, we must first define what a method is. This is the name given to the way of doing or acting that involves respecting a certain order . In the field of science , the method is the procedure followed with the intention of reaching the truth and transmitting it.
Behavior of a methodical individual
Someone is said to be methodical when they behave predictably , are organized , and have habits that they maintain. A methodical individual is usually very responsible and always attends to his obligations.
Take the case of a man who wakes up every day at 7 in the morning. After getting up, have milk and cereal for breakfast and exercise for half an hour. He then heads to his office, where he works for four hours before having lunch. In the afternoon he works another two hours and returns home. After dinner, the subject reads twenty pages of a book and finally tries to sleep. Because he repeats this routine over and over again, it can be said that he is a methodical individual.
The risks of exaggerated attachment to what was planned
Just as being methodical is positive in multiple areas, excessive attachment to what is scheduled or planned can become harmful.
This occurs when the person does not have the ability to improvise or becomes desperate when leaving their comfort zone. Therefore, without ignoring the usefulness of the organization, the ability to adapt to change is also important.
In this framework we can say that the profile of a person who does not depend on the method, but who is capable of acting spontaneously , adapting to the characteristics of the different situations that arise in front of him, responds to "practicality." Someone practical, therefore, has the special ability to take advantage of the resources at hand, without the need for a prior planning stage.
Could we say that one of the two is better than the other? No, since each profile is more convenient in certain cases. The methodical individual usually specializes in one or more areas, so they build their routine on a solid foundation of knowledge; The practical one, on the other hand, does not always perform at the same level, since his spontaneity can be overshadowed if he does not make good use of the resources he finds. A team made up of one person of each type is better than individual action.
methodical study
Since elementary school, our years as students represent the first opportunity that society gives us to explore our abilities and get to know ourselves better. We should not underestimate the tools we collect before entering the world of work, as they can make the difference between success and failure .
Studying in a methodical way is a good practice that can enhance our efforts to achieve better results with the same amount of time and energy that, without organization, could lead us to insufficient results.
Some of the most common tips to make our study methodical are to decide in advance at what time of day we will sit down to study, what sources we will consult and what specific points we will focus on. All this taking into account enough time in advance to arrive at our exams with the topics learned correctly.